title: [Hypertension in the adult Congolese population of Southern Kivu: Results of the Vitaraa Study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in adult urban and rural Congolese subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained anthropometric data and information on life habits and medical history in 699 people ≥ 20 years, 444 in an urban, 255 in a rural setting. We determined the body mass index and recorded two blood pressure measurements that were averaged for analysis. Hypertension was BP ≥ 140/90mmHg, awareness and/or use of antihypertensive treatment. Diabetes mellitus was self-reported diagnosis or a casual glycemia ≥ 200mg/dL. We assessed the probability of hypertension in stepwise multiple logistic analysis, and awareness, and control of hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found higher (P<0.001) prevalence in the urban than the rural subjects for hypertension (41.4% vs 38.1%), diabetes (4.9% vs 3.2%), overweight/obesity (37.6% vs 16.5%), abdominal obesity (30.9% vs 12.9%), use of alcohol (45% vs 17.6%) and smoking (11.6% vs 1.2%). Hypertension was associated (P<0.05) to aging in 51.3%, overweight/obesity in 54.5%, diabetes in 69%, abdominal obesity in 63.8%, low physical activity in 42.4%, to stress in urban environment in 43.2% and professional position (executives: 53.2%, workers: 38.6%). Of these hypertensive subjects, 57.5% were unaware, 30.5% were treated, with control achieved in only 13.6% (17.4% women vs 6.9% men; P<0.01). In the logistic model, the probability of hypertension increased with age (OR for age>55 years: 2.35; P<0.001), overweight/obesity (2.22; P<0.001) and diabetes mellitus (2.67; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate a heavy burden of uncontrolled risk factors in the Congolese population the potential complications of which run at a high mortality rate. They highlight the need for reasonable prevention measures at the population level.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital général provincial de référence, projet maladies non transmissibles, Bukavu, République démocratique du Congo.
authors.forename: Philippe B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Katchunga
authors.forename: Jean-René
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: M'buyamba-Kayamba
authors.forename: Burhole E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Masumbuko
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lemogoum
authors.forename: Zacharie M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Kashongwe
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Degaute
authors.forename: Jeff M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kabinda
authors.forename: Jean-René
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: M'Buyamba-Kabangu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents